Publisher's Synopsis
Guild Socialism: A Plan For Economic Democracy is a book written by George Douglas Howard Cole in 1921. The book outlines the principles of Guild Socialism, which is a form of socialism that emphasizes the importance of worker control over the means of production. The author argues that the traditional socialist model of state ownership of the means of production is flawed and that a more democratic approach is needed.The book begins by discussing the problems with the capitalist system, including the exploitation of workers and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. Cole then introduces the concept of Guilds, which are essentially worker-run cooperatives that would be responsible for managing the production and distribution of goods and services. The author argues that this model would be more efficient and equitable than the current capitalist system.The book also discusses the role of the state in a Guild Socialist system. Cole argues that the state should play a minimal role in the economy, acting only as a regulator to ensure that the Guilds are operating in the best interests of society as a whole. The author also emphasizes the importance of democracy in a Guild Socialist system, with workers having a say in the decision-making process of the Guilds.Overall, Guild Socialism: A Plan For Economic Democracy is an important work in the history of socialist thought. It offers a compelling alternative to traditional socialist models and provides a blueprint for a more democratic and equitable economic system.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
